Makinde: We ‘ll Continue to Make Oyo Peaceful, Attractive

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, yesterday assured all stakeholders that his administration will continue to maintain the religious harmony and peaceful co-existence despite the religious diversity in the state.

The governor, while receiving the members of Nigeria Inter- religious Council (NIREC), led by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the President, Christian

Association of Nigeria (CAN), His Eminence, Rev. Dr. Supo Ayokunle, at the Executive Council Chambers, Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan, said that Oyo State has remained peaceful, despite its diversity.

He appreciated NIREC for taking their quarterly meeting to the State in honour of the President of CAN, Rev. Ayokunle.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as saying that the meeting was coming at the right time, particularly as the general election is knocking on the door.

He said: “What you stand for is what Nigeria needs especially at this time that election is approaching. I know that conversation will take both ethnic and religious colorations. That is why we have been hearing of Muslim-Christian ticket, Muslim-Muslim ticket and all of that.

“Before we did the national convention (of the PDP), we were looking at where the presidential candidate would emerge from – maybe from the South, East, West or North or somewhere in the middle. And even after the emergence of the candidates, discussions have been around the support for either the candidate from Yorubaland or whether the Northerners will support their own candidate.